During the record-breaking government shutdown, government employees were forced to work without pay. After missing consecutive paychecks, fewer employees were showing up to work, including TSA agents. TSA agents are directly responsible for the safety of airports across the country. With less employees showing up to work, the airports became less safe. TSA agents were told they would receive a bonus for working without pay, but they have not received that bonus. Throughout the government shutdown, airports were not able to meet the standards of safety they have set.
One failure of communication that occurred was the TSA agents being led to believe they would receive bonus pay. If these agents had not been lied to, they may have still showed up to work. Another failure in communication would be in the government shutdown itself. If the politicians used better communication, they could have avoided the shutdown.
Link: https://www.vox.com/2019/1/24/18195809/air-traffic-control-unions-shutdown-warning